Our Visual Effects degree is a practical skills-based course tailored directly to the needs of the Visual effects, games and other digital media industries. All our staff are active within the industry and teach students the skills they’ll need to gain employment after graduating. The course utilises a mix of lectures, hands-on workshops, tutorial classes, studio sessions and practical exercises such as 3D Modelling, Digital sculping, 2D & 3D Composting, Matte Painting, Motion Performance, Motion Graphics, FX & Simulation, onset VFX supervision and Virtual Production with the use of Epic’s Unreal game engine.
The course fuses cutting-edge industry-standard software skills with lessons learned from over a hundred years of filmmaking and visual effects. We teach everything from the ground up, in short you do not have to have any prior knowledge or tradition artistic skill before joining the course. Our highly skilled team will support you in developing the knowledge and skills you need to thrive in industry.
- Tracking
- Matchmoving
- Rotoscoping
- Masking
- Keying
- Colour Correction
- Colour Grading
- 3D Modelling
- 3D Sculpting
- Camera & Lighting
- Motion Graphics
- Video Editing
- Digital Set Extensions
- Matte Painting
- Texturing
- Lighting
- Rendering
Year 1
Introduction to Compositing (40 credits)
Working with industry standard software and a brief provided by a local production house, you will be introduced to the core 2D compositing skill used by the leading production houses internationally. In the second semester, you will learn how to track real world cameras to invisible composite 3D asset into a filmed plate.
Introduction to 3D Modelling (20 credits)
You will learn the fundamentals of 3D modelling to enable you to replicate real world objects in industry standard 3D software. You will be introduced to creative and technical skills such as good edge workflow, UV mapping, texturing, lighting, and rendering to create a 3D turntable artefact, which showcases the beginnings of Photorealism.
Content Creation (40 credits)
This module will introduce key pre-production, production, post-production, camera, lighting techniques and technologies to give you an informed awareness of the medium and context in which your creative input as visual effects artists will be employed.
History of Visual Effects (20 credits)
Lectures focusing on the history of film, VFX and media, giving context to the skills learned in other modules and how these emerged historically.
Year 2
Studio Project (40 credits)
This module will introduce you to working as part of a team to replicate a studio’s project pipeline for VFX. As part of an open brief, you will use creative practices to generate digital environments and environmental FX through the use of 3D modelling pipeline, virtual production with the Unreal Engine, dynamics, simulation and visual effects on set supervision.
Character Creation and Motion Capture for VFX (40 credits)
Will introduce you to advanced 3D modelling techniques such as digital sculpting by creating a likeness of a character from popular media in addition to this you will utilise motion performance-based animation and its integration with an animation-ready digital character.
Motion Graphics & UI Development (20 credits)
This module will explore the theory, creative and practical development of graphic design in relation motion graphics and as part of user interface development for film, television, and advertising. Part of this will be looking at key graphic design techniques, as well as animation principles, 3D, and simulation-based motion graphics.
Contemporary Visual Effects (20 credits)
A continuation of the History of Visual Effects module, only now it’s focused on the contemporary moment, current issues, and trends.
Year 3
Honours Project (60 credits)
This is your chance to showcase your skills and specialist areas, working on a project you design in collaboration with the module leader. In addition, this module focuses on industry employability: everything from CVs, websites, showreels and portfolios, to how and where to network, interview practice and how to find work as a freelancer.
Professional Studio Project (40 credits)
This module builds on Studio Project, with the emphasis on allowing you to specialise in areas of a group project. Your group will have full creative freedom with support from the module tutor.
Professional Specialism (20 credits)
In this module, you will undertake research into the historical, current, and future areas of the visual effects techniques where you take the lead within the Professional Studio Project. The module is linked to your future goals and through networking opportunities, enables you to make industry connections.
Ready to apply? No need to wait for UCAS – you can apply directly to Futureworks now!
Why Choose The Visual Effects Degree at Futureworks?
If there’s one thing that sets our course apart from others, it’s the outstanding industry contacts we utilise to your benefit. Most of our students take the opportunity to work on real world projects while they are still a student with us. Many students leave here with not just their qualification, but also their first film credits.
We have these great contacts because our tutors have come from the industry and we work hard to maintain partnerships with leading visual effects companies.
In addition, our tutor team is augmented by a variety of industry guest lecturers. This helps make sure that we stay in tune with current trends in the VFX world and helps you start to build your network of contacts.
It’s not just current trends – it’s current software too. We always use the same software that you will be expected to use in your future career. We constantly monitor the industry and review our software to make sure that you will be working on the relevant versions. The same goes for our workstations – industry standard hardware. And our new studio facility based in Mediacity is simply amazing.
Finally, there’s the small, highly-focused class sizes – it means we can give every student the individual guidance and help they need.
Why should you choose this course? Well, why wouldn’t you?
This course is validated by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
Your Visual Effects Career Opportunities
A Futureworks visual effects degree leads to a whole range of different careers – not just film and TV, but also roles in advertising, architecture and product design. There are many industries that now require visual effects professionals.
It’s worth noting that the biggest VFX companies are now based in the UK and the scope for careers is really positive. There are lots of opportunities in this growing and exciting industry for the right people, with the right education and the right experience. And that’s what Futureworks gives you.
The complete list of potential job roles for our students is too wide to list here, but it includes compositors, 3d modellers, R&D, lighting, visual effects operator… and you may end up as a skilled freelancer, working in an agencies or in a film production house – it’s such a wide and growing industry.
But film is where many of our students aim for. And they’ve aimed successfully! Our past students have worked on films such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Paddington, Robocop and Ronin to name just a few.
Location & Teaching
Your primary location of study will be at our Riverside Campus, which is located on New Bailey Street in Manchester. As part of your course, some of your lessons will take place at our Futureworks Studios facility located in MediaCityUK, a few miles from the city centre.
Futureworks recognises that the skills, competencies and contribution of its staff are vital to the delivery of high quality Higher Education. All programmes are managed by a dedicated Programme Leader and team of experienced tutors, and our excellent links with industry employers mean you’ll have access to exciting guest lectures and fantastic opportunities to gain experience on real-world projects.
Applying to this Course
To be considered for this course, you will require 104-120 UCAS points.
You can apply for this course by applying directly to Futureworks. Alternatively, you can apply via the UCAS system. The UCAS codes for this course are as follows:-
UCAS Code: W614
Institution Code: F98
If you have any questions about applying for a degree course please call us on 0161 214 4602, email [email protected] or look at our Admissions page.
Successful applicants will be invited to an interview where you will have the opportunity to talk about your work, influences and interests. A guide will be sent with your interview details to help you prepare for your interview. Ideal applicants will have a keen interest in film, television, and visual effects. You are welcome to bring any relevant examples of work with you, if you have them. This is optional and a portfolio is not required for applications to be considered for this course.
All of our courses start in September and are full time, 3 year courses. More information on relevant dates can be found on the Term Dates page.
International Students
Futureworks is able to accept any applications from applicants who require a Student Visa (formerly called Tier 4 Visa) to study in the UK. Entry criteria for International students will vary. Please see International Students for full details.
“Studying at Futureworks was a great experience, not only I learned a lot but I was encouraged to do my own research and reach out to other people which helped me get out of my comfort zone and make connections along the way. I was also lucky to win an award and get a job after I finished the course!”
Futureworks Visual Effects BA (Hons) Student
“Futureworks ignited my journey into the visual effects industry, fostering my growth across the entire VFX pipeline, granting me a robust foundation of generalist skills. Through Futureworks' invaluable industry connections, I secured my first role as a 3D generalist shortly after finishing my final assignment.”
Futureworks Visual Effects BA (Hons) Student
Validated By
